Introduction:
(BKC) After just over two centuries the Northern Kingdom of Israel ceased to exist as a nation (931–722 B.C.). Seven of her 20 kings were assassinated. All were judged to be evil by God. And the reasons for the captivity were given in 17:7–23.
Ob and In:
(1) Repeated phrase:
A. "Worshiped"
17:7 This happened because the Israelites sinned against the LORD their God, who brought them up from the land of Egypt and freed them from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. They worshiped other gods;
In their covenant with God, Israel promised to worship God and not worship other gods v.35, 36, 37, 38, 39.
B. "Followed" was translated from 2 words in original language: go and behind. If we traced both words in ch 17:
Israel followed the practices of the nations v.8, They paid allegiance to worthless idols v.15a...they copied the practices of the surrounding nations v.15b, Judah followed Israel's example v.19, the Israelites followed in the sinful ways of Jeroboam v.22
C. "Like"
v.11 They burned incense on all the high places just like the nations
Being saved by God from the bondage of Egypt was not enough for Israel to abandon their worshipping of idols. They worshipped idols v.7 as a way to follow the way of the other nations. They wanted to be just like others.
Reflection: Our worship and our heart of following are closely related. What do you hearts want to follow? What is entilticing to you? Whom do you follow and just like them?
(2) Repeated phrase:
A. (BKC) Their idolatry involved disobeying a plainly revealed prohibition by God
12 They worshiped the disgusting idols in blatant disregard of the LORD’s command.
12 They worshiped the disgusting idols in blatant disregard of the LORD’s command.
15 They rejected his rules, the covenant he had made with their ancestors, and the laws he had commanded them to obey. They paid allegiance to worthless idols, and so became worthless to the LORD. They copied the practices of the surrounding nations in blatant disregard of the LORD’s command.
B. (BKC) The LORD had sent prophets and seers with special warnings in addition to those contained in the Mosaic Law. These messengers (God’s servants) had warned (cf. 17:23) both kingdoms to repent and observe God’s commandments in the Law. The Israelites, however, refused to listen to the prophets (cf. vv. 13–14) and were as obstinate as their forefathers who lived before the divided kingdom came into existence.
13 The LORD solemnly warned Israel and Judah through all his prophets and all the seers, “Turn back from your evil ways; obey my commandments and rules that are recorded in the law. I ordered your ancestors to keep this law and sent my servants the prophets to remind you of its demands.” 14 But they did not pay attention and were as stubborn as their ancestors, who had not trusted the LORD their God.
13 The LORD solemnly warned Israel and Judah through all his prophets and all the seers, “Turn back from your evil ways; obey my commandments and rules that are recorded in the law. I ordered your ancestors to keep this law and sent my servants the prophets to remind you of its demands.” 14 But they did not pay attention and were as stubborn as their ancestors, who had not trusted the LORD their God.
(NET) "were as stubborn as their ancestors"=they stiffened their neck like the neck of their fathers.”
What might have kept Israel from following "their hearts" and being like other nations? The command of the LORD was clear about the prohibition of idol worship. They chose to reject and disregard the Law. Then God sent prophets and seers to remind them to turn back, but their necks were stiff.
What might have kept Israel from following "their hearts" and being like other nations? The command of the LORD was clear about the prohibition of idol worship. They chose to reject and disregard the Law. Then God sent prophets and seers to remind them to turn back, but their necks were stiff.
In other words, there are 2 ways that reading God's words will help us from following other nations: 1. to know the command of God about not worshipping idols; 2. to be reminded of the commands and to turn back to God.
Reflection: I asked a 10-year old a couple days ago, "Why did some people (in the Gospel of Luke) read the OT, but still they were slow to believe that Jesus was the Messiah?" She said, "Pride." Pray that we will have a humble heart and when reading God's word we will be reminded by God and turn back.
Audrey
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